Vacuum cleaner cord management system

ABSTRACT

A cord management system operable to reduce or eliminate various forces exerted on a vacuum cleaner power cord. The system includes a swiveling strain relief incorporated into the vacuum handle and collars, used to connect sections of a dirty air conduit, having exterior portions that enable the power cord to be retained in a secure manner.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to cleaning devices, and moreparticularly, to vacuum cleaners having cord management systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Many contemporary cleaning devices are electrically powered. Suchdevices include vacuums, buffers, extractors, steam cleaners and othersimilar devices. Electrical power is typically supplied to the cleaningdevice through a power cord. The cord is routed from the power supply toa switch provided in the handle of the cleaning device for controllingthe flow of electricity to a motor in the cleaning device. For thispurpose, a first power cord adapted to be plugged into a wall outlet, isrouted through the handle to the switch, and a second power cord isextend from the handle and into the head of the vacuum cleaner to powerthe vacuum cleaner motor. Although the routing scheme described abovehas many benefits, it does posses some inherent drawbacks that affectthe ease-of-use and reliability of the cleaning device.

[0003] One drawback to the prior art routing scheme is the attachmentbetween the first power cord and the handle of the cleaning device.Typically, the power cord enters a void formed in the handle andattaches to a power switch. In order to protect the connection betweenthe first power cord and the switch from being pulled apart during use,the cord is tied down before a small extension or loop formed in thefirst power cord. When strain is placed on the power cord during use,the tie-down resists any tugging or pulling that would separate the cordfrom the switch. However, this design does little to protect the cord atthe handle interface. The forces exerted upon the cord during use cancome from various direction. For example, if the power cord is caughtunder the foot of an operator the forces exerted on the cord are in adownward direction thus resulting in the power cord being pulled outwardand downward from the handle. Over time, repetition of this bendingresults in a sustained connection between the power cord and the switchbut a degradation in the outer jacket of the power cord. Degradation ofthe power cord can result in breach of the cord insulation and possibleshorts resulting in lower product life.

[0004] Another drawback to the prior art routing scheme is theattachment between the second power cord and the handle. The prior artscheme incorporates a plug in the handle that is used to supply powerfrom the switch to the second power cord. The second power cord isinserted into the handle plug on one end and wired to the vacuum motoron the other end. The drawback to this design is the handle plugattachment. When in use, the second power cord is subjected to variousforces that can pull the second power cord from the handle plug,resulting in power interruption.

[0005] Still another drawback with the second power cord is thenecessity to supply cord clips to keep the second power cord routedclose to the vacuum handle. The cord clips are metal or plastic circularpieces that mount on the upper and lower sections of the vacuum handleand secure the cord against pulling or tugging free when the vacuum isin use. However these cord clips are easily damaged and requireadditional maintenance and expense for the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention relates to methods and apparatuses for a cordmanagement system. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a swivelingstrain relief incorporated into the vacuum handle for protecting a powercord from the various forces exerted upon it. The strain relief can beof a single axis (wheel-type) or multi-axis (ball-type) design.

[0007] In another embodiment, the second power cord may be hardwiredinto the handle. Hardwiring the second power cord eliminates thepossibility of the cord being pulled from its handle connection andinterrupting power to the vacuum motor.

[0008] In another embodiment, collars, used to connect sections of adirty air conduit, have exterior portions that enable the power cord tobe retained in a secure manner. The collar clip can be made out ofmolded plastic allowing for a more robust part that is not prone tofailure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a side elevation of an upright vacuum cleaner.

[0010]FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the upper portion of theupright vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1.

[0011]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the handle in FIGS. 1 and 2according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0012]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a strain relief according to anembodiment of the invention.

[0013]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a strain relief according to anadditional embodiment of the invention.

[0014]FIG. 6 is a detailed view of a collar clip according to anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015]FIGS. 1 and 2 are views of an upright vacuum cleaner 100 inaccordance with the present invention. The vacuum cleaner 100 includes ahead 102 that contains the vacuum motor and fan, a rotary brush, andother such components (not shown) that are known in the art. A handle103 is pivotably attached to the head for maneuvering and controllingthe head.

[0016] The purpose of the head 102 and its components is to providesuction at the level of the floor 104, which may be a wood floor, or maybe covered with carpet, throw rugs, tile, linoleum or other floorcoverings. As is well known, the air entrains particulates such as dirt,sand, lint, crumbs and other food particles, and other materials thatmay be found on a floor.

[0017] The particulate-laden air (dirty air) is exhausted from the head102 via an exhaust conduit 106, which is pivotably mounted to the headto permit rotation through about 90 degrees from a generally verticalorientation to a generally horizontal orientation as indicated by thearrow 108. The particulate-laden air is transmitted upward along a dirtyair conduit 110 to a dirty air exhaust duct 112. The dirty air conduit110 of the present embodiment may be made of any of a variety ofmaterials, such as steel or aluminum tubing, but should be sufficientlystiff to serve both as a conduit and as a portion of the handle 103 ofthe vacuum cleaner 100.

[0018] A clamp 109 is mounted on the exhaust conduit 106 of the vacuumcleaner 100 by known means such as screws or other fasteners. A springclip 111 is mounted on the clamp and is adapted to clip into a slot inthe bag clamp 113. The bag clamp 113 is adapted to grip the bottom of aflexible bag case 136, when the two halves thereof are assembled.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in which like elements have likenumbering, the dirty air conduit 110 is maintained in engagement withthe exhaust conduit 106 as follows. A slot 114 in the lower end of thedirty air conduit 110 is adapted to receive and be substantially filledby a tab (not shown) on the interior wall of the exhaust conduit 106.The tab and slot prevent the exhaust conduit 106 and dirty air conduit110 from rotating relative to one another.

[0020] An annular shoulder may be provided in the exhaust conduit 106 toreceive the bottom end 116 of the dirty air conduit 110. Such shoulderpreferably has a width approximately equal to that of the wall thicknessof the dirty air conduit 110. The dirty air conduit is held in place bya collar 118 and elastomeric ring 120. The collar 118 and ring 120 areadapted to slide onto the dirty air conduit 110 and the collar 118 isconfigured to receive the ring 120 therein.

[0021] The collar 118 threadedly engages the upper end of the exhaustconduit 106 and screws down onto it. The elastomeric ring 120 is therebycompressed between a shoulder internal to the collar 118 and the upperend of the exhaust conduit 106. The compression of the ring forces thering 120 to expand into tight engagement with the adjacent surface ofthe dirty air conduit 110, which retains the dirty air conduit 110against axial movement out of engagement with the exhaust conduit 106 innormal use.

[0022] The lower end 122 of the exhaust duct 112 includes a threadedregion 124 and can be mounted to the dirty air conduit 110 in likemanner to the mounting of the dirty air conduit 110 to the exhaustconduit 106. A tab (not shown) on the interior of the exhaust duct 112is received in a slot 126 in the upper end of the dirty air conduit 110,substantially filling the slot 126. A collar 128 and elastomeric ring130 are slid over the upper end 132 of the dirty air conduit 110, andthe collar is screwed onto the lower end 122 of the exhaust duct 112,compressing the ring 130 and causing it to frictionally engage theadjacent wall of the dirty air conduit 110.

[0023] The vacuum cleaner 100 is provided with a bag case 136 into whichthe dirty air may be exhausted from the dirty air exhaust duct 112. Thebag case 136 is made of a flexible material that is resistant to wearingand ripping, and that is either air pervious or includes vents to allowthe escape of air. The bag case 136 is adapted to be mounted over themouth section 138 of the dirty air duct 112.

[0024] The upper end 150 of the exhaust duct 112 includes a threadedsection 152. A plurality of vertical slots 154 extend to the upper endof the exhaust duct 112. The threaded section 152 and the slots 154cooperate with a collar 156 to form a collet-like connector forreceiving and gripping an upper handle segment 158.

[0025] A two-piece handle (or grip) 160 for permitting a user to gripthe end of the handle 103 is mounted to the upper end of the upperhandle section 158 by fasteners such as screws. The two halves of thehandle 160 is made of a thermoplastic material, and bonded together byknown methods such as vibratory welding or use of adhesives.

[0026] A switch 170 may be provided in the handle 160 for controllingthe flow of electricity to the motor in the head 102 of the vacuumcleaner 100. For this purpose, a first power cord 162 adapted to beplugged into a wall outlet may be routed through the handle 160 toswitch 170, and a second power cord 164 may extend from switch 170,through handle 160 and into head 102 of the vacuum cleaner 100 to powerthe vacuum cleaner motor.

[0027]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the handle 160. Handle 160 comprisestwo mating halves, first power cord 162, switch 170, second power cord164 and strain relief 302. First power cord 162 is also connected toswitch 170 via power terminals 308 and routed along inlet channel 304and through strain relief 302. Second power cord 164 is routed alongoutlet channel 306 and connected to switch 170 via power terminals 308.

[0028]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a swivelstrain relief. Strain relief 400 is a single axis (wheel-type) designcomprised of halves 402 and 404. Power cord 462 is routed through theinterior cavity 406. The interior cavity 406 is contoured to form asmall passage in which a small portion 410 of power cord 462 resides,preventing strain from damaging power cord 462.

[0029]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of another preferred embodiment of aswivel strain relief. Strain relief 500 is a multi axis (ball-type)design comprised of halves 502 and 504. Power cord 562 is routed throughthe interior cavity 506. The interior cavity 506 is contoured to form apassage in which a small extension 510 of power cord 562 resides,preventing strain from damaging power cord 564.

[0030]FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the collar assembly of the floorcare apparatus 100 of FIG. 2. The collar 128 includes an externalsurface 602 having at least one retaining member 604. Retaining member604 comprises legs 608 & 609. Legs 608 & 609 are located proximate oneanother such that gap 607 is formed. Gap 607 is sized as to allow powercord 164 to be held in place.

[0031] The detailed descriptions of the above embodiments are notexhaustive descriptions of all embodiments contemplated by the inventorsto be within the scope of the invention. Indeed, persons skilled in theart will recognize that certain elements of the above-describedembodiments may variously be combined or eliminated to create furtherembodiments, and such further embodiments fall within the scope andteachings of the invention. It will also be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art that the above-described embodiments may becombined in whole or in part to create additional embodiments within thescope and teachings of the invention.

[0032] Thus, although specific embodiments of, and examples for, theinvention are described herein for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention,as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The teachingsprovided herein can be applied to other handle and exhaust duct couplingassemblies for floor care machines, and not just to the embodimentsdescribed above and shown in the accompanying figures. Accordingly, thescope of the invention should be determined from the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A floor care device having a floor engaging head,a power cord operatively coupled to the floor engaging head, a handlesupport attached to and projecting away from the floor engaging head anda handle assembly, the handle assembly comprising: a handle housing; aswitch mounted in said handle housing and having power terminals, thepower terminals coupling said switch and said power cord; and a strainrelief coupled to said handle housing and adapted to receive a portionof the power cord, the strain relief being movable in a plurality ofdirections.
 2. The floor care device of claim 1 wherein the swivelstrain relief is capable of moving in a single axis.
 3. The floor caredevice of claim 1 wherein the swivel strain relief is capable of movingin multiple axis.
 4. The floor care device of claim 1 wherein the powercord is affixed to said switch.
 5. The floor care device of claim 1wherein the handle support further includes a collar capable ofretaining said power cord.
 6. A handle assembly for a floor care device,comprising: a handle housing; a power cord; a switch mounted in saidhandle housing and having power terminals, the power cord affixed tosaid power terminals; and wherein said power cord is operatively coupledto a floor engaging head of said floor care device.
 7. The handleassembly of claim 6 further including a strain relief coupled to saidhandle housing and adapted to receive a portion of the power cord, theswivel strain relief being movable in a plurality of directions.
 8. Thehandle assembly of claim 7 wherein the swivel strain relief is capableof moving in a single axis.
 9. The handle assembly of claim 7 whereinthe swivel strain relief is capable of moving in multiple axis.
 10. Acollar for a floor care device having an outer surface, said collarcomprising: at least one retaining member extending from said outersurface of said collar; and wherein said at least one retaining memberis capable of retaining a power cord in place.
 11. A strain relief for afloor care device having a handle and power cord, said strain reliefcomprising: a outer portion adapted to be coupled to said handle; and aninner portion adapted to receive a portion of said power cord; andwherein said strain relief is movable in a plurality of directions. 12.The floor care device of claim 11 wherein the strain relief is capableof moving in a single axis.
 13. The floor care device of claim 11wherein the strain relief is capable of moving in multiple axis.
 14. Amethod of retaining a power cord of a floor care device, comprising:providing a collar having at least one retaining member comprising acord retaining space; and positioning at least a portion of said powercord within said cord retaining space.
 15. A method of coupling a powercord of a floor care machine, said power cord operatively coupled to afloor engaging head, said method comprising: providing a handle assemblyhaving a handle housing; providing a switch having power terminals, saidswitch mounted in said handle assembly; and affixing said power cord tosaid power terminals.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising thesteps of: providing a strain relief adapted to receive a portion of thepower cord, the strain relief being movable in a plurality ofdirections; coupling said strain relief to said handle housing; andcoupling said power cord to said strain relief.
 17. The method of claim16 wherein said strain relief is capable of moving in a single axis. 18.The floor care device of claim 16 wherein the strain relief is capableof moving in multiple axis.
 19. A method of relieving strain applied toa power cord of a vacuum, comprising the steps of: providing a handleassembly having a handle housing; providing a strain relief adapted toreceive a portion of the power cord, the strain relief being movable ina plurality of directions; coupling said strain relief to said handlehousing; and coupling said power cord to said strain relief.